Northwich Town Council shares plans for Belmont Road Play Area

Northwich Town Council has shared its vision for Belmont Road Play Area, in Rudheath, which in recent years has been blighted by broken equipment, litter and anti-social behaviour.

If funding is approved, the park will be transformed with new equipment, security measures, and a designated accessible play area.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We are thrilled to have worked with the local community and local user groups to create a play area that will be inclusive and accessible for everybody.

“Many thanks to all that took part in the consultation and fed into the final design.

“The funding application will be submitted in June and we will be crossing our fingers for a positive response which will be in September.”

The draft design of the Belmont Road Play Area (Image: Northwich Town Council)

Northwich Town Council took over the lease of six play areas, including Belmont Road, from Cheshire West and Chester Council in 2019.

The other five have all since been refurbished, having been in a 'worse condition'.

So, in April, a consultation was launched, asking residents what they wanted to see done with the play area.

The design published this week proposes splitting the play area into four distinct areas.

There will be a ‘junior play area’ with a large multi-play unit, two challenging spinners and swings.

For younger visitors, there is a ‘toddler play area’ featuring a swan springie, a seesaw, a roundabout, a trampoline, a multi-play unit, an activity panel and a large swing unit.

There will also be a designated ‘accessible/inclusive play area’ including a play tower with a ramp unit, a roundabout, accessible swings, an activity panel, and a picnic table.

Alongside all of this will be a trim trail featuring pull-up bars, balance beams and wobble crossings all installed onto a soft surface.

In recent years the play area has deteriorated, with broken equipment and litter causing concern for parents (Image: Supplied)

The proposals also include the installation of a solar-powered CCTV camera between the play area and football pitch as well as new footpaths and bike stands.

Meanwhile, the existing timber fencing will be replaced with a new galvanised steel knee-rail.

Northwich Town Council will submit an application for funding next month and hope to have heard back by September, with the aim of starting work in the autumn.